Circuit closer



Feb. 28, 1933.

G. T. OSTRANDER CIRCUIT CLOSER Filed Oct. 8, 1930 BE SAFE TODAY DOE CITY BELT LINE N OT SORRY TOMORROR D.O.E.

Patented Feb. 28, 1933 UNITED STATES GEORGE T. OSTRANDER, OF JOLIET, ILLINOIS cmcun" cLosEB Application filed October 8, 1930. Serial No. 487,281.

This invention relates to a circuit closer.

One important object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved construction of circuit closer operable upon tilting of the circuit closer from one position to another.

With the above and other objects in View, as will be presently understood, the invention consists in general of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawing like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a front view of a signal box wherewith this invention is adapted to be used.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section through such a box showing the circuit closer located therein, the section being taken parallel to the front shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a. detail section on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail section on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram showing the connections to the circuit closer.

In the embodiment of the invention as here shown there is provided a casing, preferably of metal, having an end wall 10 and a bottom 11.

The control switch consists of a. tubular member 33 closed at one end and carrying a rectangular insulating plate 34 at its otherwise open end. This plate is considerably larger than the tube and has one edge resting on the floor and secured thereto by a bracket 35. The closed end of the tube also rests on the floor so that the tube is thus held in an inclined position. In the closed end of the tube is a coiled compression spring 36 which bears against a sliding plate 37. A heavy ball 38 rests against this plate and a second ball 39 rests against the first and projects slightly through the plate 34 a suitable opening being provided for this purpose. A spring 40 has one end secured to the plate 34 and its other end rests against the ball 39 and is provided with a finger 40 which bears against a spring contact 41 supported from the plate 34. A second spring contact 42 is likewise supported from the plate 34 for engagement by the contact 41. A typical appli cation of the device is disclosed in Figure 3 wherein there is shown a battery 20 connected in series to a lamp 27 by a wire 30. The battery is connected by wires 43 and 32 with a switch 31. The lamp 27 is connected to the contact 42 by a wire 43 and the contact 41 is connected by a wire 44 with the switch 31. Thus when the switch 31 is closed and the contacts 41 and 42 engaged the lamp will glow.

In' operation when the casing is tilted the tube will tilt so that the balls and spring 36 will cooperate to press the spring 39 so that its free end moves away from the plate 34 and thus moves the contact 41 away from contact 42 and current through the lamp will be interrupted. When the casing is level or horizontal the tube will be inclined in the opposite direction and the balls will move back in the tube so that the contact 41 will engage contact 42 and the lamp will glow.

There has thus been provided a simple and eflicient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. A circuit closer for devices of the kind described including a tube closed at one end,

finger projecting from the last mentioned end of the leaf spring, a contact finger having one end fixedly supported by theplate and its other end engaged by the first finger to move therewith, and a second contact finger having one end supported from the plate and having its other end beneath the first contact finger. r

2. A circuit closer in combination with a tiltable casing having a floor, said circuit closer includinga tube closed atone end and having the closed end of the tube resting on the floor, a spring in said tube having one end bearing against the closed end of the tube, a follower plate in said tube resting against the remaining end of the spring, weight balls in said tube engaging each other and located between the open end of the tube and the follower plate, an insulating plate attached to the open end of the tube and havin an o enin through which one of the a P g balls projects, saidinsulating plate projecting downwardly from the tube and resting on the casing floor to hold the tube in inclined relation to the floor, a spring finger having one end fixed to the insulating plate and its other end projecting across said opening, a pair of supporting posts carried by said insulating plate, a pair of spring contacts each having one end fixed to a respective post, the other ends of said contacts being in overlapping relation, and a post carried on the free end of the spring fingerand engageable with one of said contacts to control the opening and closing of the contacts.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE T. OSTRANDER. 

